ZERO1 Blog

ZERO1 is calling innovative digital and mural artists with a passion for community-driven art and an interest in international travel to apply to participate in the American Arts Incubator. American Arts Incubator is an international arts exchange program being developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The program sends artists abroad to collaborate with youth and underserved populations on community-based new media and mural art projects that bolster local economies, address a local social issue, and further social innovation. Artists will be working directly with ZERO1, U.S. embassy officials, and overseas partners to realize a series of public art projects that cultivate individual and community engagement and citizenship internationally.

Just over a year ago, we gathered at the ZERO1 Garage to meet the first class of ZERO1 Fellows. They dove headfirst into their innovation challenges - researching, inventing, experimenting, prototyping - and now the moment has arrived. On January 22, 2014, come discover the ZERO1 Fellows' unique responses to their respective innovation challenges and engage in a rare opportunity to learn about the inaugural class of ZERO1 Fellows' experiences over the past year. From a cooperative urban experience and a new messaging app, to a web platform facilitating social practice art and an unveiled presence of public network connections, ZERO1 is proud to present the results of these Fellows' year-long journeys.

How attached are you to your toilet? San Francisco-based Lava Mae, a mobile shower and toilet service for the homeless is definitely attached to theirs and making good use out of it. Lava Mae, the brainchild of Doniece Sandoval, one of ZERO1’s Board Trustees, recently found out about ‘World Toilet Day’ and decided to mount a public art installation entitled C’mon Give a Sh_t!. The installation, is comprised of six “decorated” toilets, that will grace Market Street tomorrow near 10th from 7:00am to 7:00pm. Passersby are invited to take their picture with the toilets and upload them to Lava Mae’s Pinterest page.

Never failing to position itself as a discussion platform, the ZERO1 Garage is currently hosting the exhibit Patent Pending. Participating artists have either obtained or are in the process of obtaining a patent for the artwork they created. The exhibit is an invitation to contemplate the link between creative ownership, entrepreneurship, and the potential of the artistic process to drive innovation far beyond art gallery walls.

As summer draws to a close, Patent Pending our 2013 Fall exhibition is right around the corner! Here at the ZERO1 Garage we’re gearing up for the opening on September 28th, 2013. The space is currently being transformed to be an inspiring backdrop for the seven artists who will be featured in the exhibition. Like the entrepreneurs and inventors who have defined Silicon Valley, many artists have applied for patents with broad uses beyond their artistic practice. Join us for the opening reception and explore the connection between artists, invention, and ownership. This event will include opening remarks from artist and researcher Michael Naimark, who is listed as an inventor on more than a dozen patents and has a personal connection with each artist in the show.